Interview with Michelle Davis, LEARNING TO BEND

What are your favorite TV shows?

Friends, Thirty Rock, Sex and the City, Scandal, Seinfeld, Cheers, and The Family Guy.  

What is your favorite meal?

Salmon, roasted vegetables, and black rice – with a Caesar salad.

If you were to write a series of novels, what would it be about?

Perhaps I’d write a sequel to Learning to Bend. It might be fun to follow Jenna and Jackson as they experience life together in Bend. I’m sure I could think of something interestingJ .

Is there a writer you idolize? If so who?

Idolize is a strong word. But if I would idolize anyone, it would be Eckhart Tolle. His writing and insights are amazing. I constantly reread his books, and each time, I find new nuggets of wisdom.

How did you come up for the title of this book?

Part of me has always struggled with tight muscles. I still cannot touch the floor during yoga class. Yet, it wasn’t just my body that was tight – I also lived in my mind more than in my heart. It was easier to think than feel. But by digging deep within and embracing my own shadows, I’ve learned how to soften and become more flexible – both mentally and physically. It made me curious – maybe if I wove this theme into a book, others may also learn how to bend. Simultaneously, I began blogging – elevate is the name of the blog at michellemdavis.net. The goal of this site is to help others elevate to their higher selves by sharing thought provoking blogs. I think that Learning to Bend blends nicely into this philosophy.

BLURB:

Jenna Moore's flawlessly orchestrated life and engagement to Ben Kelly, “the perfect man,” vanish when she discovers a controlling side of her fiancé. Confused and unsure of who she is without Ben, Jenna decides to uproot from her safe, predictable life in Boston and move to Bend, Oregon, hoping to find her answers there. It’s when she meets Jackson, a former Navy SEAL who battles demons of his own, that Jenna finds the courage to let go of being perfect and embrace uncomfortable risks, transforming her life through forgiveness, compassion, surrender and acceptance. Yet the rewards from discovering her true self exceed Jenna’s expectations – not only does she find the greatest love of her life, but she also understands what’s kept her from learning to bend.

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Excerpt:

Twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four... one more, I think to myself, straining to finish the final pull-up. Twenty-five. Done. I then grab a thirty-five-pound kettlebell and begin the first of three sets of twenty swings. The clock on my nightstand says 4:41. I spend the next half-hour hammering my muscles with weights, knowing that is not the end of my morning workout – I still have a run. Welcome to my world. This is my daily practice, my religion. It’s the only stable aspect of my life. But I need it, crave it actually. It’s what helps me counter the nightmares and the pain.

It’s been over a year now. My thirty-four-year old body hasn’t physically changed since I left the SEALS. At six feet two, discipline and hard work have kept me at a steady weight of 197 pounds. In fact, my only variance from years of following the SEAL’s strict codes is that I grew out my hair. Now, it’s almost at my shoulders. I think letting it grow was symbolic at first, representing a departure from my former life as a Navy Commander. Yeah, those were the best years of my life. I loved what I did, and my guys were freakin’ awesome, totally dependable and loyal as dogs. But afterward, it was impossible to stay. I couldn’t trust myself.  

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Michelle Davis, whose career path includes banking, teaching, and college admissions consulting, holds a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University and a M.S. in Education from St. Joseph’s University. Through her blog, elevate, Michelle’s goal is to inspire others to shift their perspectives and welcome change as they realize their life purpose. A Pennsylvania native, Michelle and her husband enjoy visiting their sons in Boston and spending time in Bend, Oregon, the settings of her debut novel, Learning to Bend. To learn more about Michelle and how to elevate your life, visit: 

https://www.michellemdavis.net

https://www.learningtobend.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LearningtoBend/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/michellemillerdavis/

NOTE: The book will be $0.99 during the tour.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Davis/e/B083ZLXBXS/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Bend-Michelle-Davis-ebook/dp/B083L5HM7G/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-to-bend-michelle-m-davis/1136004857

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